Complete coverage of relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, following Hurricane Maria

Director of Puerto Rico Power Company Resigns Amid Scrutiny

Ricardo Ramos testified before a U.S. Senate committee earlier this week about a $300 million contract awarded to Whitefish Energy Holdings that has since been canceled. The contract is undergoing a local and federal audit

WH: No Involvement With Puerto Rico Power Contract

The White House distanced itself from the decision to award a $300 million contract to Whitefish Energy Holdings to help restore power to Puerto Rico, saying it was a "state and local decision" made by Puerto Rico authorities. The company is based in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. (Published Friday, Oct. 27, 2017)

The director of Puerto Rico's power company resigned on Friday amid ongoing blackouts and scrutiny of a contract awarded to a small Montana-based company to help rebuild the electric grid destroyed by Hurricane Maria.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello briefly told reporters that Ramos is a professional who worked hard to bring power back to Puerto Rico, but that "there were a series of distractions, and a decision was taken to go in another direction."

"That resignation was taken ... in the best interest of the people of Puerto Rico," he said, adding that an interim director would soon be appointed.

Ramos testified before a U.S. Senate committee earlier this week about a $300 million contract awarded to Whitefish Energy Holdings that has since been canceled. The contract is undergoing a local and federal audit.

Prior to the announcement of Ramos' resignation, local newspaper El Vocero had reported on Friday that Ramos had awarded a nearly $100,000 contract to an attorney for consulting work just days after Hurricane Irma brushed past Puerto Rico. It was the same attorney Ramos previously had tried to appoint as sub-director of the power company. Rossello said that contract also will be reviewed.

Ramos said in a Facebook post published on Friday before his resignation that the contract was legitimate.

More than 20 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities remain without power nearly two months after Maria hit the U.S. territory as a Category 4 hurricane. A major blackout occurred on Wednesday just as the government had announced it had reached 50 percent of power generation. Two more large blackouts have since been reported as crews work to restore power.

Ramos said the recent blackouts were a result of problems ranging from overgrown vegetation to fuel not being supplied on time.

President Trump Tours Hurricane-Damaged Puerto Rico

President Donald Trump visited Puerto Rico on Oct. 3, with first lady Melania Trump. Trump met with local victims of Hurricane Maria and praised the work of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló.

(Published Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017)

Rossello has said he anticipates 80 percent power generation by end of November and 95 percent by mid-December. However, the U.S. Corps of Engineers has said it expects 75 percent power generation by end of January.